Cyclooxygenase-2 Is an Independent Predictor of Poor Prognosis in Uterine Leiomyosarcomas. Issue 4 (1st April 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Chae Hyeong; Roh, Ju-Won; Choi, Jong-Sun; Kang, Sokbom; Park, In-Ae; Chung, Hyun Hoon; Jeon, Yong-Tark; Kim, Jae Weon; Park, Noh-Hyun; Kang, Soon-Beom; Song, Yong-Sang
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynecological cancer. Volume 21:Issue 4(2011)
• Page Start: 668
• Page End: 672
• Publication Date: 2011-04-01
• Subjects: Cyclooxygenase-2 -- Uterine sarcoma -- Uterine leiomyosarcoma -- Survival; Generative organs, Female -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99465
• DOI: 10.1097/IGC.0b013e3182150d56
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-891X

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a well-known enzyme that promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Cyclooxygenase-2 is upregulated in a number of human epithelial tumors, but data about the significance of COX-2 in mesenchymal tumors are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine COX-2 expression in uterine sarcomas and whether a relationship exists between COX-2 expression and clinicopathologic outcomes. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of 49 uterine sarcomas (30 leiomyosarcomas, 14 endometrial stromal sarcomas, and 5 carcinosarcomas). Positive staining was defined as moderate or strong staining in 5% or more of tumor cells. Results: Four of 30 leiomyosarcomas, 1 of 14 endometrial stromal sarcomas, and 2 of 5 carcinosarcomas were positive for COX-2 expression. In leiomyosarcomas, COX-2 expression correlated with tumor stage with marginal significance ( P = 0.058). Patients with leiomyosarcoma positive for COX-2 expression had a lower overall survival rate than those without COX-2 expression ( P = 0.025). In the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model, COX-2 expression, tumor stage, and mitotic count were independently associated with overall survival in leiomyosarcomas. Conclusions: Our data suggest that immunohistochemically determined COX-2 expression is an independent prognostic factor in uterine leiomyosarcomas. Assessment of COX-2 status might be useful for determining the prognosis in patients with uterine leiomyosarcomas.